The Cozy Inn: A bite of history

One of the few remaining 6 stool diners in the United States is located in Salina, Kansas. With the craze of hamburger joints popping up, Robert Kinkel decided to jump in and start his own hamburger joint. The Cozy Inn opened in 1922 and has been going strong since then.

Robert decided to jump on the bandwagon of serving sliders (Palm size burger) after White Castle had opened their doors in Wichita in 1921. The hamburgers were cooked with chopped onions and only served one way: mustard, catsup, and pickle.

As The Depression hit America, The Cozy Inn gained success by serving a low cost meal. With a small space and not much overhead, the owner was able to feed families an inexpensive meal.

After the bombing of Pearl Harbor, two military institutions were built in Salina, brings hordes of soldiers. The Cozy Inn quickly became a favorite hangout place for the soldiers.

The Cozy Inn remained successful during the 50's and 60's as America's teens became obsessed with hamburger and soda pop joints. It's easy to imagine our parents hanging out at a place like The Cozy Inn on a Friday night.

The Cozy Inn still serves the same menu as they did when their doors opened in 1922 even though the owners have changed throughout the years. You don't ask for it without onions and you don't ask for cheese. The only decision you get to make is how many sliders you want. Grab a sack of sliders and take them outside to enjoy, as there is not enough room inside this "cozy" place to enjoy them.

If you are looking for a burger and some nostalgia, head to Salina, Kansas for a truly iconic piece of history.

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Valerie Swiderski is a travel writer and blogger from the Kansas City area. She enjoys experiencing new foods and Midwest wineries. She also enjoys traveling throughout the country and the world in search of anything but the meat and potatoes she grew up on. Follow Valerie's journeys at tripsortreats.com.